Center stand observation

stevec314 · Jun 25th, 2009, 01:47 PM

Hey guys I bought this center stand for my Ultra and I love it. I did however make a unique discovery yesterday. I was told that if you gas up with the bike on the center stand that you can get about 1/2 gallon more in the tank. Anyway, I gassed up during lunch and rode back to work. then I discovered later in the day that I was smelling gas and saw it was coming from under my bike. ( started thinking fuel line problem ) Well I did get gas on the center stand but when I came back I used the reg stand and after a couple hours of 98 degree sunlight and heat + bike not on center stand = overflow and lost gas. Anyway just thought I would throw that out.

DDogg · Jun 25th, 2009, 02:48 PM

What are you saying, the gas tank expanded then contracted. Where was it leaking, at the cap or at the fuel line?? I don't see how the center stand would effect a fill up on gas. Is your tank completely level when on the center stand? If so, then I can see leaning it over will spill gas out the cap. I wouldn't fill up on the center stand. The tank and gauge are set up to read off the jiffy. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Filling the tank straight up and the leaning it will naturally cause gas to leak from the cap.

Jim B. · Jun 25th, 2009, 02:57 PM

I don't think it was the expansion from the heat as much as it was filling up while on the center stand. Filling the bike while it is on the center stand results in more gasoline in a tank designed to be filled at a slant. It's o.k. as long as the bike is on the center stand or upright while riding immediately after filling. However, the minute it's put on the jiffy stand and leans, then the tank overflows until the extra gas is drained. Some Iron Butt riders who don't get off their bikes while filing up learn this when they stop and put the bike on the side stand without riding far enough to use the excess gas.

glider · Jun 25th, 2009, 03:57 PM

It seems to me that you would get more fuel in the tank if it was on the jiffy stand being the air is up at the filler neck then being the highest part of the tank.

biglew55 · Jun 25th, 2009, 04:07 PM

This is GREAT news to me! I'm one of those guys who thinks the gas tank is still too small, so knowing I can get another 1/2 gallon of gas (20 miles less walking) is good news to me.

I have had gas spill out the overflow (on FLHT models with center fill tanks there is a hose that directs it from the filler neck to drain down by the battery overflow) on past bikes too. I always topped off my tanks, but stopped the practice if I wasn't getting back on the road to ride for awhile. I thought it had to do with my filling it, or the gas expanding because it was coming from a 50* holding tank in the ground to 90* Gas tank over my hot engine. I think you'll be fine if you fill it up on the centerstand if you are going to ride enough to drop the level a 1/2 gal, but if you're getting ready to stop for a while, you might want to use the jiffy stand to avoid the mess (and fire hazard).

09blueflhtcu · Jun 25th, 2009, 09:30 PM

Do they make a center stand for a 09 ultra classic?

STEVE07 · Jun 25th, 2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 09blueflhtcu

Do they make a center stand for a 09 ultra classic?

Yes they do

Harley-Davidson USA | Accessories And Apparel | Genuine Motor Accessories

HD4ME! · Jun 26th, 2009, 08:47 AM

EZ UP is a far superior center stand than what HD makes. I had a buddy get the HD one for his 09 EG and took it back, very hard to use and not much room for your heal to grab. Several of us have this one and it is great. Note, NEVER use a center stand if you are at a forward incline as the bike will role of of the center stand and it is a good idea to put the bike in gear.

WHEELDOCK - The Official Site - wheeldock.com

Lancer · Jun 26th, 2009, 10:11 AM

I always fill mine up with me sitting on it, and it straight up, never had a problem.

lannyw · Jun 26th, 2009, 01:04 PM

I also have always stood mine up when I fill it. I've never had any issues with overflow.

Jun 25th, 2009, 01:47 PM	#1
stevec314 Warming The Wheels Ride: 2007 ultra Join Date: Apr 21st, 2008 Posts: 77	Center stand observation Hey guys I bought this center stand for my Ultra and I love it. I did however make a unique discovery yesterday. I was told that if you gas up with the bike on the center stand that you can get about 1/2 gallon more in the tank. Anyway, I gassed up during lunch and rode back to work. then I discovered later in the day that I was smelling gas and saw it was coming from under my bike. ( started thinking fuel line problem ) Well I did get gas on the center stand but when I came back I used the reg stand and after a couple hours of 98 degree sunlight and heat + bike not on center stand = overflow and lost gas. Anyway just thought I would throw that out.

Jun 25th, 2009, 02:48 PM	#2
DDogg Community Star Ride: 2008 Fat Bob Join Date: Aug 30th, 2008 Location: Clinton Twp. Michigan Posts: 601 My Mood:	Re: Center stand observation What are you saying, the gas tank expanded then contracted. Where was it leaking, at the cap or at the fuel line?? I don't see how the center stand would effect a fill up on gas. Is your tank completely level when on the center stand? If so, then I can see leaning it over will spill gas out the cap. I wouldn't fill up on the center stand. The tank and gauge are set up to read off the jiffy. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Filling the tank straight up and the leaning it will naturally cause gas to leak from the cap. __________________ Treat her good, and she'll ride ya better.

Jun 25th, 2009, 02:57 PM	#3
Jim B. Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Road Glide Join Date: Apr 28th, 2009 Location: Lompoc, CA Posts: 299	Re: Center stand observation I don't think it was the expansion from the heat as much as it was filling up while on the center stand. Filling the bike while it is on the center stand results in more gasoline in a tank designed to be filled at a slant. It's o.k. as long as the bike is on the center stand or upright while riding immediately after filling. However, the minute it's put on the jiffy stand and leans, then the tank overflows until the extra gas is drained. Some Iron Butt riders who don't get off their bikes while filing up learn this when they stop and put the bike on the side stand without riding far enough to use the excess gas.

Jun 25th, 2009, 03:57 PM	#4
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,162 My Mood:	Re: Center stand observation It seems to me that you would get more fuel in the tank if it was on the jiffy stand being the air is up at the filler neck then being the highest part of the tank. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Jun 25th, 2009, 04:07 PM	#5
biglew55 Community Guru Ride: 2009 FLHX Join Date: Oct 1st, 2008 Location: IA Posts: 2,124 My Mood:	Re: Center stand observation This is GREAT news to me! I'm one of those guys who thinks the gas tank is still too small, so knowing I can get another 1/2 gallon of gas (20 miles less walking) is good news to me. I have had gas spill out the overflow (on FLHT models with center fill tanks there is a hose that directs it from the filler neck to drain down by the battery overflow) on past bikes too. I always topped off my tanks, but stopped the practice if I wasn't getting back on the road to ride for awhile. I thought it had to do with my filling it, or the gas expanding because it was coming from a 50* holding tank in the ground to 90* Gas tank over my hot engine. I think you'll be fine if you fill it up on the centerstand if you are going to ride enough to drop the level a 1/2 gal, but if you're getting ready to stop for a while, you might want to use the jiffy stand to avoid the mess (and fire hazard). __________________ "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die tomorrow." - James Dean Ride it hard and ride it far!

Jun 25th, 2009, 09:30 PM	#6
09blueflhtcu New Family Ride: 2009 Ultra Classic Electra Glide Join Date: Jun 8th, 2009 Location: Lapeer Mi Posts: 9 My Mood:	Re: Center stand observation Do they make a center stand for a 09 ultra classic? __________________ 2009 Flame Blue Peral Ultra Classic Electraglide all stock (for now)

Jun 26th, 2009, 08:47 AM	#8
HD4ME! Warming The Wheels Ride: 08 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Join Date: May 14th, 2009 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 121 My Mood:	Re: Center stand observation EZ UP is a far superior center stand than what HD makes. I had a buddy get the HD one for his 09 EG and took it back, very hard to use and not much room for your heal to grab. Several of us have this one and it is great. Note, NEVER use a center stand if you are at a forward incline as the bike will role of of the center stand and it is a good idea to put the bike in gear. WHEELDOCK - The Official Site - wheeldock.com

Jun 26th, 2009, 10:11 AM	#9
Lancer Contributor$ Ride: 08 Ultra Classic Join Date: Jun 25th, 2008 Location: Palm Bay, Fl Posts: 381 My Mood:	Re: Center stand observation I always fill mine up with me sitting on it, and it straight up, never had a problem.

Jun 26th, 2009, 01:04 PM	#10
lannyw Start The Engine Ride: 2008 Ultra Classic Join Date: Jul 4th, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 29	Re: Center stand observation I also have always stood mine up when I fill it. I've never had any issues with overflow.

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